IRVINE, CA—HomeUnion, an online real estate investment management firm, has formed a partnership with Sperry Van Ness/First Guardian Group, a full-service commercial real estate investment and management firm specializing in retail, office, multifamily, student housing and land properties. Many of the firm's clients utilize 1031-exchange transactions, which enable investors to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting in income-producing real estate investments.

“The purpose of this partnership is to expose First Guardian investors to the single-family rental (SFR) investments listed on HomeUnion.com,” explains Don Ganguly, CEO of HomeUnion. “For commercial real estate investors participating in 1031 exchanges, we can offer high-quality, fully vetted and managed real estate investments in markets with high returns that also meet the requirements set forth by the IRS. Unlike most types of commercial real estate, HomeUnion properties offer investors a completely passive way to acquire real estate.”

“A majority of First Guardian's clients utilize 1031 exchanges to defer taxes when selling, but can face challenges identifying suitable replacement properties within the narrow 45-day window allowed by the IRS,” says Paul Getty, CEO of First Guardian Group. “Often, the replacement property will not completely cover the value of the desired exchange. That's where HomeUnion, with its array of fully vetted and professionally managed SFRs, comes in to bridge the gap,” notes Getty.